ABOUT

This project seeks to define a vision that is shared among a diverse set of stakeholders including trail users, environmental groups and land management agencies; specifically the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which manages the adjacent Yacolt Burn State Forest. We believe that a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities that this landscape offers will result in a robust and comprehensive plan for future recreation management. We also believe that this process will build a coalition to work together to achieve our shared vision.

We respectfully acknowledge these lands are the homelands of Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest. Tribes continue to rely on and share in the stewardship of these lands today. Please tread gently and treat these places with respect.

Our steering committee is composed of representatives from non-motorized trail user groups as well as the land management agencies that steward the Silver Star area and adjacent Yacolt Burn State Forest. The organizations involved are: the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Chinook Trail Association, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Washington Trails Association, and Washington Trail Riders Riders Association. Facilitation and technical support is provided by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program. 

The steering committee will guide a collaborative planning process to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Stakeholders share an understanding of the area's values (e.g. natural, cultural, scenic, recreational, etc...).
2. Recreation management is guided by a comprehensive and robust vision plan.
3. Key infrastructure elements such as roads and trailheads are identified as the core of a sustainable trail system.
4. There is broad support for a proposal to address safety and resource damage on access points such as Forest Road 4109.
5. ​A coalition of stakeholders is committed to work together to implement the recommendations in the plan.​​